Cane Corso

Thinking about purchasing an Cane Corso? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Cane Corso breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Cane Corso owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Cane Corso and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Cane Corso Breeder:

When were your Cane Corsos born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Cane Corso, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Cane Corso and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Cane Corso Breed Profile

A large dog, the Cane Corso (pronounced kah-nay cor-so) is strongly built but elegant breed, with powerful and long muscles. They are very distinguished dogs. A Cane Corso expresses strength, agility and endurance. The general conformation of the Cane Corsos is that of a mesomorphic animal whose body is longer than the height at the withers. They are harmonious in regards to the form and disharmonious in regards the profile. The Italian Mastiff, as it is called sometimes, is an even tempered breed with a wide head and square jaw. They often have an undershot jaw, and ears can be cropped or left to drop. In countries where cropping is legal, the ears are cropped to a very short point to appear more threatening. They are good guard and watchdogs, and will be very protective of their family. They are normally quiet and very trainable. They remain very wary of strangers and are unafraid of guarding their owner. They are intelligent, aloof, and affectionate with family. They are fine with staying outside, and will need regular exercise. With training and socialization they are good with other pets and people.

Other Names: Italian Mastiff, Sicilianos Branchiero, Cane di Macellaio, Italian Corso Dog, Italian Molosso

Height: 22 - 28 inches.
Weight: 80 - 140 lbs.

Colors: Black, plumb-gray, slate, light gray, light fawn, deer fawn, dark fawn and tubby (very well marked stripes on different shades of fawn and gray). In the fawny and tubby subjects there is a black or grey mask only on the muzzle and shouldn't go beyond the eye line. A small white patch on the chest, on the feet tips and on the nose bridge is accepted.
Coat: Short hair but not smooth, with vitreous texture, shiny, adherent, stiff, very dense, with a light layer that becomes thicker in winter (but never crops up on the covering hair).

Temperament: Cane Corsos are loyal, protective, and don't drool as much as other mastiffs. They are protective and aloof with strangers, remaining very wary of them. They are excellent guards and watchdogs, and are robust in appearance as well as performance. They are usually quiet, affectionate, and caring of their family, including children. They are very intelligent and keep their eyes on strangers.
With Children: Yes, as long as they are socialized. They are caring of children who are in their family, but aloof with strangers.
With Pets: Yes, as long as they are socialized.

Watch-dog: High. Cane Corsos make excellent watchdogs.
Guard-dog: High. Cane Corsos make excellent guard dogs. They were originally bred to be guards and drivers.

Cane Corso Care and Exercise: Corsos need regular exercise, and are fine with living in the backyard. They should be checked for eye problems and other health concerns.
Training: Training is essential for the Corso, otherwise they may become protective and aggressive towards even welcome strangers. They should be trained not to be aggressive around friends and other pets. Socialization is a must when they are puppies.
Special Needs: Fenced yard, a leash, socialization and training.
Learning Rate: High. Cane Corsos are very intelligent.

Activity: Medium.
Living Environment: Cane Corsos need a back yard with a fence at their owner's house. They need space, since they are a large dog, and require some kind of daily exercise. The best owner for this type of dog would be a guardian dog-experience owner in a rural or suburban home, but they can live in an apartment if given enough exercise.

Cane CorsoHealth Issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion (AKA Bloat, or Twisted Stomach), and Demodex Mange (Red mange). Other health concerns include heart disorders, torn cruciates, eyelid abnormalities, Cherry eye, ectropion and entropion.

Life Span: 10 - 11 years.
Litter Size:

Country of Origin: Italy (Sicily)
Cane Corso History: Cane Corso are direct ancestor to the old Roman Molossian and probably the Neapolitan Mastiff. In the recent past preserved and prevalent in the provinces of Foggia and Ban. Their name derives from the Latin "cohors", which means "protector, guardian of the farm-yard", whereas Corso in Italian means "dog". Originating in the 1600s, the breed was a recreation of an older breed of the Italy, the Cane di Macellaio. It was actually developed on Sicily, not the mainland of Italy. They were used by butchers to drove cattle, guard the farmland and hunt large predators. They may have been used in dog fighting as well. After World War II, like many other breeds, this breed almost died out. Thanks to fans in the 1980s, though, the breed made a comeback to a world which now holds them in high favor.

Class: Working
Registries: ARBA, FCI (Group 2), FSS (Foundation Stock Service)

Cane Corsos

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Thursday, July 17, 2008